PANJIM: The leader of the opposition, Mr Manohar Parrikar, on Wednesday, lodged a telephonic complaint with the Commissioner of the State Election Commission, Dr M Modassir, as regards ongoing distribution of goodies and money by the Taleigao MLA, Mr Atanasio Monserrate to some of the city voters, in view of the elections to the Corporation of the City of Panjim scheduled on March 13.
Informally speaking to the media, later in the day, Mr Parrikar said that the Bharatiya Janata Party has also filed a similar written complaint with the city police as well as the State Election Commission.
"In fact, the SEC should have long back taken suo motto action against such gross violation of the election code of conduct without waiting for any complaint, as the local newspapers have continuously reported these illegal and immoral acts," he added.
The Bharatiya Janata Party has fielded 29 candidates for the CCP polls under the ‘Panjim First’ panel, and is supporting an independent candidate in ward number 26. The Panjimmites’ Initiative for Change’ (PINC) endorsed by the ‘respectable intelligentsia’ from the capital city has also included 18 members of the ‘Panjim First’ panel in its coalition panel.
Furthermore, the Friends of Good Governance (FOGG), an organisation formed by middle class people as well as professionals from Panjim, out of their concern for the future of the capital city have appealed to the voters to vote for ‘Panjim First’ panel.
Speaking before the pressmen, the leader of the opposition said that the Taleigao MLA had started distribution of goodies to the voters, mostly from lower class families, some two-and-a-half months back, but the exercise has now gathered speed after the declaration of the election code of conduct.
"In fact, some of the active supporters of the Atanasio Monserrate panel, including a person identified for an attack on the noted social activist, Mr Aires Rodrigues, are threatening the school going children from lower class families," he added, pointing out that this ploy is targeted towards creating a psychological fear in the minds of the poor families who have seen through the game plan of the Taleigao MLA, and revolted against him.
Warning that the BJP can also use muscle power to counter the muscle power used by the Atanasio Monserrate panel, the leader of the opposition said that till now, his party has refrained from taking such a drastic step only out of its belief and respect for the law of the land.
"And we expect the police and the SEC to act immediately," he observed.
Mr Parrikar also expressed happiness that the PINC has selected 18 members of the BJP panel to be a part of its coalition panel.
Replying to a question as regards objection raised by some people to his participation in the door-to-door campaign for the CCP election, Mr Parrikar said that no rule, no law prevents him from doing the same. "If some people have objections to it, then let the authorities take action against me," he mentioned, pointing out that it is his fundamental right to campaign for any election.
"I am not a government servant, and though I have a cabinet status, I am not a part of the state cabinet, and hence not allowed to display National Tricolour on my vehicle," he observed, noting, "However, using government vehicles as well as government machinery for election canvassing is totally illegal."
It is a shame that a section of the voters too has been converted into voters who blindly vote in return for money or other doles! Shame on the so called democracy? Can this be called democracy? If so what type of democracy?
ReplyDeleteIt is a shame that Goan voters fall for the handouts from corrupt candidates. It is also surprising that the Panjimites panel (PINC) have endorsed about two thirds of the candidates put up or backed by a corrupt and communal party. The professionals and other middle class people who have formed another organisation have also endorsed them. To keep out one corrupt bring in the other corrupt, is it?
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